Bearing power embedded generating configuration

Abstract

A power generating bearing assembly comprising a power generating subassembly integrated into a bearing. The power generating subassembly utilizes the relative motion between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring of the bearing to generate electrical power. A sealing member is attached to one of the bearings at one end thereof. The power generating subassembly includes an electrical generator assembled through an aperture of the sealing member within an interior section of the bearing and positioned to be in operational engagement with a magnetically polarized material. The magnetically polarized material is integrated into a magnetic ring, which is attached to the non-seal carrying bearing ring. The relative motion between the rings engages the electrical generator and the magnetically polarized material causing a generator core of the electrical generator to create an electrical current.

1 . A power generating bearing assembly, the power generating bearing assembly comprising:
 a bearing comprising:
 a bearing outer ring having an outer surface, a bearing engaging inner surface, and an outer ring end surface, 
 a bearing inner ring having a bearing assembly interior mating surface, a bearing outer race engaging surface, and an inner ring end surface, wherein said bearing engaging outer surface is sized to rotationally engage with said outer ring bearing engaging inner surface, 
 a sealing system comprising a sealing system member assembled between said bearing outer ring and said bearing inner ring at one of said end surfaces of said bearing sealing a gap therebetween, 
 a magnetic wheel concentrically located respective to said bearing and secured to a magnetic wheel drive ring, wherein said magnetic wheel drive ring is one of said bearing outer ring and said bearing inner ring and said remaining ring is a respective rotational ring, 
 wherein said inner ring is rotationally assembled within said outer ring bearing engaging inner surface; and 
   an electrical power generator including a generator core, said generator core comprising an electrical coil wound about a magnetic core to generate electrical power, said electrical power generator being attached to said sealing system member;   wherein said relative motion between said bearing outer ring and said bearing inner ring passes said magnetically polarized material across said generator core causing said generator core to create an electrical current,   said sealing system member directing said generator core in a radial direction to operationally engage with said magnetically polarized material,   at least one sensor receiving aperture provided through said sealing system member for passing the electrical power generator therethrough,   said magnetic wheel comprising a magnetically polarized material supporting flange carrying a magnetically polarized material, said magnetically polarized material supporting flange provided led as a unitary section of said sealing system extending axially away from said ring end surfaces, wherein said magnetically polarized material is positioned proximate said at least one sensor receiving aperture, thus positioning said generator core proximate said magnetically polarized material.   
     
     
         2 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , said at least one sensor receiving aperture ( 137 ) comprising a plurality of sensor receiving apertures equidistantly spaced and concentrically positioned about said sealing system member. 
     
     
         3 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a printed circuit assembly integrated within said electrical power generator. 
     
     
         4 . A power generating bearing assembly as recited in according to  claim 1 , further comprising an accelerometer integrated within said electrical power generator. 
     
     
         5 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bearing race set located between said bearing outer race engaging surface and said outer ring bearing engaging inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 5 , further comprising a pair of bearing race sets located between said bearing outer race engaging surface and said outer ring bearing engaging inner surface, wherein the bearing sets are angled to provide both rotational stability and axial stability to a rotating mount assembly affixed to the bearing assembly component engagement surface. 
     
     
         7 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical power generator is positioned respective to the magnetically polarized material forming an air gap therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the
 the sealing system member is assembled to said bearing outer ring at one of said end surfaces of said bearing, the sealing system member sealing a gap between the bearing outer ring and the bearing inner ring,   the magnetic wheel being concentrically located respective to said bearing and secured to said bearing inner ring.   
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A power generating bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said electrical power generator being positioned respective to the magnetically polarized material forming an air gap therebetween.   
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A power generating bearing assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing system member ( 136 ) constitutes an external z-labyrinth.